Police have shared new images in a desperate bid to hunt down an elusive “Night Watcher” suspect who stole £1.4million worth of jewellery. The violent robber ambushed a 63-year-old businesswoman alone in her home – pistol-whipping her across the forehead and splitting her head open – before tying her up in a terrifying two-hour ordeal.
A huge hunt is underway to snare the attacker who forced the woman to open safes in the shocking robbery in Sevenoaks, Kent on June 21 last year, before escaping with the haul. Valuables stolen included diamond-encrusted earrings, a sapphire pendant and watches. Detectives have released images of the same makes and models of three of the watches stolen in the brazen robbery including a £55,000 Bvlgari watch snatched from the terrified victim’s wrist as she was dragged upstairs and forced to open a safe.
Officers hope that by releasing the images they will be able to find out where the pieces were sold on to. The watches police have released images of are the same make and model of those stolen.
They include: a Bvlgari Lvcea which was worn by the victim when it was snatched worth £55,084, an 18ct white gold Patek Philippe Gondolo Quartz wristwatch worth £68,661, annd a Breguet Reine de Naples ladies watch valued at £40,043.
The robbery was featured on Crimewatch Live last month.
Detective Inspector Maxine Harris of Kent Police who is leading the investigation, said: “The response to our appeals including the Crimewatch episode has been encouraging and our officers are continuing to actively explore information and names of interest provided from members of the public.
“Our investigation also includes finding out where the stolen jewellery and other possessions may have been sold onto. We really want people to look at these latest images which show some of the distinctive watches taken. One of these, a Bvlgari watch was snatched from the victim’s wrist'”
Kent Police also published several appeals following the burglary, after officers identified CCTV images of a suspect on a bike.
He was found to have also used the train network and had accessed stations including Staplehurst, Marden and Hildenborough. The man was wearing a face mask, cream coloured baseball cap and had trainers with distinctive red soles. He sometimes wore a high-visibility top when cycling.
An extensive investigation remains ongoing, and the suspect is now also being formally linked to at least five other burglaries in Kent since 2016. These include victims in Tonbridge, Maidstone, Marden and Ide Hill near Westerham.
Police added: “We are continuing to make significant and extensive enquiries to track down the man responsible for this cowardly assault and burglary.’It is possible he has strong connections to the Staplehurst area, although we are not discounting that he may live outside of Kent. He should not be approached.”
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